External risk intelligence

TRENDnet TEW733GR Command Injection Vulnerability

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.8)

CVE-2022-37053

This vulnerability affects a consumer wireless router. Routers are designed to act as internet gateways, and their management interfaces or associated services like UPnP are frequently exposed to the public internet or reachable via the wide area network side of the device in typical deployment scenarios.

Code Injection

Trendnet Tew733gr Firmware

1.03b01

Halo Surface Signal: 4 out of 5 — likely to be public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A critical vulnerability has been identified in TRENDnet routers that could allow attackers to remotely execute commands on affected devices. This issue stems from a flaw in how the router handles requests, potentially enabling unauthorized access and control. The main concern is to confirm if these devices are in use and exposed, as direct exploitation could have broad implications.

  • Allows remote attackers to run commands.
  • Matters because routers control network access.
  • Confirm relevance and exposure for affected devices.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An attacker can send specially crafted requests to a router's web interface, specifically targeting the `gena.php` file. Because this file is vulnerable to command injection, an attacker can execute arbitrary commands on the router, leading to a compromise of the device.

  • Unauthenticated network access is required.
  • Triggered via a specific PHP file.
  • Enables full device control and compromise.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability in the TRENDnet TEW733GR could allow an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the device by sending specially crafted requests to the `gena.php` endpoint. This could affect the device's normal operation and potentially expose network traffic.

  • Device commands and network traffic.
  • Remote, unauthenticated command injection.
  • Compromised device security and network visibility.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This command injection vulnerability in TRENDnet TEW-733GR firmware affects network edge devices often managed by infrastructure or network teams, with potential oversight from vendor management. The immediate priority is to identify all deployed TEW-733GR devices, determine their exposure to the network, and confirm business criticality to prioritize remediation.

  • Network and infrastructure teams own the issue.
  • Verify device exposure and criticality first.
  • Plan remediation based on identified risk.

Supplementary metadata

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

Halo Threat Intelligence helps prioritize remediation with Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context. Start exposure validation with a free external attack surface trial.

Frequently asked questions

What is the TRENDnet TEW733GR?

The TRENDnet TEW733GR is a wireless router, which is a networking device that manages data traffic between your local devices and the internet. Firmware version 1.03B01 is the specific software operating system on these devices that provides routing, security, and connectivity features. These routers are typically used in home or small office environments to provide Wi-Fi access and act as the gateway between the local network and the outside world.

What does command injection mean for CVE-2022-37053?

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-94, which refers to improper control of generation of code. In simple terms, the router mistakenly interprets data sent by a user as a system command to be executed. Instead of just processing information, the device runs unauthorized instructions provided by an attacker, effectively granting them control over the router's internal functions.

How is this vulnerability triggered?

An attacker triggers the vulnerability by sending a specially crafted request to the router's 'gena.php' file. The flaw resides in how this specific file processes incoming data. The vulnerability is not triggered by standard web browsing traffic; it requires specific, malicious input intended to manipulate the device's command execution logic.

Is my device at risk?

According to Halo Surface Signal, this vulnerability is highly relevant because it affects a consumer router designed to act as an internet gateway. These devices are often reachable from the wide area network or exposed directly to the public internet, making it easier for remote attackers to interact with the vulnerable 'gena.php' service without needing prior authentication.

What should I do if I use this router?

Your first step is to locate all TRENDnet TEW733GR routers in your environment to understand where they are deployed. Once identified, evaluate whether these devices are accessible from the internet. Prioritize these devices for attention, as they serve as critical entry points to your network, and consult official TRENDnet support channels for the latest firmware updates or guidance on securing the device.

References